Why read American Building?

Book cover of American Building: The Environmental Forces That Shape It

Book description

Few books have influenced the field of architecture more than American Building: The Environmental Forces That Shape It. Originally published in 1947, it has emerged as a classic work on the relationships among buildings, their inhabitants, and the environment. Now comes the first major revision in over twenty-five years, bringing…

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Why read it?

1 author picked American Building as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Alison G. Kwok and Walter Grondzik

Author

Fitch is best known as a city planner—not as an architect or engineer. Perhaps it is this perspective that allowed him to prepare a delightful introduction to the various sensory dimensions—the environmental forces—we engage as building users.

These dimensions, which constitute much of our holistic experience with architecture, include air quality, light, sound, and heat. None are truly shown on architectural plans. All affect us for better or worse. This is a great introductory read bereft of equations.

From Alison's list on environmental schematic design.